Fox Cities News

Menominee Elementary School recently hosted its sixth annual Read Your Heart Out event, coinciding with National African American Parent Involvement Day. The event took place on February 14, 2025, and was a celebration of literacy and community engagement.

The day began with an assembly led by Principal Beth Galeazzi. Attendees participated in the Pledge of Allegiance and listened to students recite "I am Somebody," followed by a group rendition of "Reach Out and Touch." Anthony Miller, Director of Community Engagement and Equity for the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD), delivered the keynote address.

Throughout the day, students engaged in various activities such as drum circles facilitated by Oshkosh Rhythm Institute and DJ sessions with local DJs BWOOP and Ceemore. They also took part in bookmark making projects guided by the OASD ArtsCore coordinator and enjoyed classroom read-alouds featuring fourteen guest readers from the Oshkosh community. Each student received a new book to take home.

This year's event marked Menominee Elementary's first time hosting but is part of a larger tradition that started at Webster Stanley Elementary School in 2019. Over 585 students from former Webster Stanley, Merrill, and Washington Elementary schools participated this year.

The success of the event was attributed to community members' generosity and volunteers' efforts. Fifth-grade student ambassadors played a significant role by showcasing leadership skills. The Read Your Heart Out celebration is part of Black History Month observances and aims to foster a love for reading among young students in Oshkosh.